Mergers, Acquisitions and Topics in Corporate Finance
This course will present the theories and empirical evidence on corporate control transactions, the process of evaluating acquisition targets and its application in practice. Findings on the reaction of stock prices to information on control transactions will be used to analyze the effects of various policy options in such transactions. Strategies of acquisition will be studied as well as defensive measures against them, their purpose and their consequences. The class will combine lecture material, quantitative and qualitative analyses and discussions of relevant news. There will be an emphasis on theories in corporate finance that to M&A transactions as well as to fundamental concepts of valuation. In the course, we will discuss important research articles in finance, both theoretical and empirical, and tie them to the lecture material. Note: This is a demanding course in terms of rigor, homework and readings (it is partly quantitative). You need to have knowledge in finance, especially corporate finance.
Monday, 4 August 2025: 9:30 - 12:00
Tuesday, 5 August 2025: 9:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, 6 August 2025: 9:30 - 12:00
Thursday, 7 August 2025:9:30 - 12:00
Monday, 11 August 2025:9:30 - 12:00
Tuesday, 12 August 2025: 9:30 - 12:00
Wednesday, 13 August 2025: 9:30 - 12:00
Thursday, 14 August 2025: 9:30 - 12:00
The additional sessions will be offered to PhD students enrolled in the class only:
Wednesday, 6 August 2025: 14:15 - 16:00
Wednesday, 13 August 2025: 14:15 - 16:00
We will review two research articles in two different areas in corporate finance. The presentations will go well beyond these articles, putting them in a broader context of the theory and evidence in the articles’ respective areas.
Solid understanding of finance on the bachelor level which includes Corporate Finance (10138).
Course attendance is compulsary.
Final grades will be determined on a combination of class participation, assignments and final examination.
Date of final examination: 18 August 2025, 10:00 AM, Faculty of Business and Economics, Peter Merian-Weg 6, 4052 Basel, seminar room S15.
This course will be counted in the following degree programs in the respective modules:
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Studium Generalis)
Module: Specific Electives in Business and Economics
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Data Science and Compuational Economics)
Module: General Electives in Data Science and Computational Economics
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Finance, Controlling and Banking)
Module: General Electives in Finance, Controlling and Banking
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: International Business, Trade, and the Environment)
Module: General Electives in International Business, Trade, and the Environment
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Labor Economics, Human Resources and Organization)
Module: Specific Electives in Labor Economics, Human Resources and Organization
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Marketing and Strategic Management)
Module: General Electives in Marketing and Strategic Management
Master's Studies: Business and Technology
Module: Business Field: Strategy and Organization
Master's Studies: Economics
Module: General Electives in Economics
Master's Studies: Economics and Public Policy
Module: General Electives in Economics and Public Policy
Master's Studies: European Global Studies
Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Handel und Unternehmen in der Globalisierung
Master's Studies: Finance and Money
Module: Field Electives in Finance and Money
Doctoral Studies/PhD Subject: Faculty of Business and Economics:
Modul: Fachlich-methodische Weiterbildung
Prof. Yakov Amihud
Professor of Entrepreneurial Finance
Stern School of Business,
New York University, New York
USA